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Age ''Very happy to be 44.''

Mustworthiness In the most moving television moment of the year, Etheridge waltzed on stage at February's Grammy Awards and poured her soul into the Janis Joplin classic ''Piece of My Heart'' — just weeks after completing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

On the Audience's Wild Reaction''I was excited! I knew when I stepped out of my car at the Grammys that what I went through was over, that the cancer was done.''

The Bald and the Beautiful ''My hair has been such a crutch for me. People say that [losing your hair] is the scariest thing about chemo, but I look at myself and think, 'Holy cow, look at my face!' I've got a feeling I'm going to keep my hair short for a while. I'm digging everything about it.''

On Her Must List ''Jon Stewart. He gives me hope. He teaches me through his humor. He's creating this space in the center, which is the only hope for our country.'' (We think so too)

The Sound of Silence Etheridge says she found peace during the endless days and nights battling the debilitating effects of chemo: ''It was the most intense form of meditation I've ever done in my life. I've never been so still inside myself, because if I moved, I was in pain. And I can tell you that I have found the meaning of life.''

Hello, Please Share ''It is truly all of the clichés: We are all one. And you can take that however you want.''

Next A greatest-hits album due out in October, featuring a new song plus covers of ''Piece of My Heart'' and Tom Petty's ''Refugee.''


Posted Jun 17, 2005 | Published in issue #826-827 Jun 24, 2005 | Order Article Reprints